Driving in Ireland vs. South Africa: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Ireland and South Africa, understanding the distinct traffic regulations and standards is crucial for ensuring safe travels. From unique lane markings to varying speed limits, this guide highlights essential distinctions that every driver should be aware of, fostering a more secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Ireland | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks areas where passing is not allowed. | Marks the right edge on roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No, overtake on the right. | Allowed |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, standard overtaking side. | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ireland:
Marks areas where passing is not allowed.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
ireland:
Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
ireland:
No, overtake on the right.
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
ireland:
Yes, standard overtaking side.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Bus Lanes: Usage
ireland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ireland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ireland:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Ireland | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | More common; fines can be issued on the spot. | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
ireland:
50 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ireland:
30 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ireland:
80-100 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ireland:
80-100 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ireland:
80-90 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ireland:
100 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ireland:
90 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ireland:
More common; fines can be issued on the spot.
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Ireland | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates the light is about to turn green. | Not used in South Africa |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas. | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangles with red borders | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
ireland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
south africa:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ireland:
Indicates the light is about to turn green.
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
ireland:
Signal when entering and exiting
south africa:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ireland:
Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas.
south africa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Warning
ireland:
Triangles with red borders
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Ireland | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
U- Turns Allowed
ireland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Ireland | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required. | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Not applicable |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ireland:
Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required.
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ireland:
Displayed on the windshield
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
south africa:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
south africa:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Ireland | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Random breath testing is common. | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: Underage Drivers
ireland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
south africa:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
ireland:
Random breath testing is common.
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
ireland:
Varies; can be substantial
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
ireland:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Ireland | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
ireland:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Ireland | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 999 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 or 999 | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
ireland:
112 or 999
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
ireland:
112 or 999
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ireland:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
south africa:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Ireland | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €60 fine and two penalty points | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €60 fine and three penalty points | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €80 and three penalty points | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be issued on the spot | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
ireland:
Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ireland:
€60 fine and two penalty points
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
ireland:
€60 fine and three penalty points
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ireland:
€80 and three penalty points
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
ireland:
Possible; fines can be issued on the spot
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
ireland:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay